Illinois’ comeback story starts here.

15 southern Illinois counties drop in population

15 southern Illinois counties drop in population

Fifteen counties in the southernmost part of Illinois lost population from July 2015 to July 2016, fueled by significant domestic migration.

Illinois Tollway fees a good example of how Illinois politicians interpret ‘temporary’

Illinois Tollway fees a good example of how Illinois politicians interpret ‘temporary’

Illinois politicians are once again eyeing a “temporary” tax increase, and residents should be wary. History shows Illinois politicians favor tax hikes over spending reform, and the Tollway and 2011 income tax battle offer examples of the dangers taxpayers face when politicians toy with a temporary tax hike.

By Matt Paprocki

House bill would regulate ‘trampoline safety’

House bill would regulate ‘trampoline safety’

Instead of spending time on economic reforms, politicians crafted a bill that would apply new rules and regulations on trampoline safety that would add thousands of dollars in costs for equipment, travel and overtime for inspections.

Democracy in Illinois is a shell game

Democracy in Illinois is a shell game

House Speaker Mike Madigan and House Minority Leader Jim Durkin used shell bills to avoid the March 31 deadline for bills to pass out of committee. Madigan passed 936 shell bills. Durkin passed 528. Meanwhile, thousands of substantive bills died without so much as a committee hearing.

By Austin Berg

Gary Amass

Gary Amass

“My job with Chrysler is the longest job I’ve ever had. I’ll have 30 years under my belt in May, all in automotive manufacturing and assembly. “People on the line, a lot of them say ‘you work for what you want, it’s not handed to you.’ That’s one of the things I like about my...